8 Wood Paneling Makeover Ideas To Take Your Walls From Drab to Fab By Realtor.com

If your home has wood paneling, you've probably pondered some major wood paneling makeover ideas. But the reality is that ripping out all that groovy floor-to-ceiling wood can be a pricey pain. So, what to do with wood paneling?

There must be an easier way to remove your home's "Brady Bunch" style, right? Thankfully, there are plenty of quick fixes that don’t require special screwdrivers or building materials you’ve never heard of.

And once you've refashioned your room's look, you might consider installing other high-quality, real wood decorative wall options, such as shiplap paneling, wainscoting, barnwood, or beadboard.

Whether your paneling is dark oak, cherry, or faux wood veneer, there are plenty of modern wood paneling updates that can bring your walls into the 21st century. From DIY paint jobs to creative ways to cover wood paneling without removing it, your options are more stylish—and affordable—than you think.

How to update wood paneling: DIY makeover ideas

No contractor required—these DIY wood paneling updates are easy enough to tackle on your own and impactful enough to transform your space.

1. Paint the wood paneling

Photo by Tad Davis Photography

One of the easiest, quickest wood paneling makeover ideas?

“A fresh coat of white paint,” says Bee Heinemann, an interior design expert and marketing director of Vänt Wall Panels.

Start with a good primer to cover all that panel and wood grain, then add a few coats of a vivid white paint.

“It brightens a room and gives it a rustic, cottagelike decor,” Heinemann says.

2. Whitewash the wood panels

Photo by Blakes London

There's no shame if you secretly dig the wood grain texture of your walls and want to keep this weathered focal point. A technique called “whitewashing” (not to be confused with old-fashioned whitewashing with lime) allows you to keep that in your room, while losing the ski lodge-fallen-on-hard-times motif. It can even mimic the look of reclaimed wood.

“Start by watering down your paint, then brush on the wood, immediately wipe, and repeat until you get your desired color that works with your decor and furniture,” Heinemann says.

3. Turn the wood panels into regular walls

Photo by Cary Bernstein Architect

Grab some drywall compound at your local home improvement store, then use it to fill in the distinctive cracks and lines of the wood paneling. Afterward, sand, prime, and paint the wood whatever color you like.

“Your final product should look just like typical painted walls,” Heinemann says.

Paneling? What paneling?

4. Add stripes on the panels

Photo by Houzz.com

Maybe you’ve been looking at those wood grooves all wrong.

For a totally different take, “create stripes or lines in the panel walls by painting the paneling grooves a different color than the paneling slats,” Heinemann suggests.

Certain designs might even mimic the look of pine, oak, or other types of wall paneling. Nothing says fancy wall paneling like pinstripes.

Creative ways to cover wood paneling

If tearing out your wood paneling isn’t in the cards, there are still plenty of clever ways to disguise it. These simple solutions can help refresh your space without a full renovation, offering a quick fix for that age-old question: how to make wood paneling look good without removing it.

5. Hide the wood paneling under art

Photo by yamamar design

Just as a good magician pretends to saw his assistant in half, so she can make a secret getaway through a trap door, you, too, can draw attention away from your paneling.

“A gallery wall, with art hung salon-style or the addition of large mirrors and sculptures, can all distract from a paneled wall of planks,” says Felicia Feaster, managing editor of Scripps Lifestyle Studios & HGTV.

6. Hide the wood paneling with shelves or curtains

Photo by W I N B E R G Interior + Architectural design

No one will pay attention if there’s something constructed in front of your panel wall, right?

“Install built-in bookshelves over the paneling to disguise it,” Feaster suggests. “Curtains hung ceiling to floor can also mask a wall of paneling and soften up the room in the process.”

Decorative wall paneling alternatives

Just because you want to update your wood paneled walls doesn't mean you have to opt for a plain white wall. These alternatives offer texture and personality with modern twists.

7. Embrace the wood in a new color

Photo by Houzz.com

Instead of trying to pretend your wood panels don’t exist and never have, why not embrace them? Paint them a different color that's hard to ignore, to turn them into decorative wood panels for your walls.

You can even try alternating colors—like white and tan, or tan and black—to lend interest to the panels and create a designer look, says Feaster. You heard that right. Designer. Wood. Panels.

8. Try a new type of panel

Love the texture and warmth of paneled walls but not the retro '70s vibe? Swap your dated wood paneling for a more contemporary option. Acoustic wall panels are gaining popularity for their sleek, modern aesthetic—and bonus: They help reduce noise. You can also explore options like fluted panels, 3D wood slats, or engineered wood boards that bring dimension and style without feeling outdated.

Is wood paneling coming back into style?

Believe it or not, wood paneling is making a comeback. As designers embrace natural textures and vintage elements, those once-dated walls are starting to feel fresh again. Sometimes, the best way to appreciate your paneling is to give it a little time—and a new perspective.

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Source: www.realtor.com